Columbus Destroyers fall to New Orleans Voodoo, 83-61
May 30, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, fell to the New Orleans VooDoo 83-61 at New Orleans Arena Friday night in front of 13,206 fans. Columbus is winless in four contests against the VooDoo all-time.
The VooDoo, who lead the Arena Football League in turnover ratio (plus-19), forced three turnovers in the win. Defensive back Anthony Floyd was named Defensive Player of the Game after intercepting Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy before halftime. The VooDoo special teams also recovered two kickoffs on net returns.
Second-year quarterback Danny Wimprine was named Offensive Player of the Game as he completed 18-of-28 passes for 265 yards and seven touchdown passes for the VooDoo (8-5). New Orleans wide receivers James Jordan and Javarus Dudley caught three touchdowns each.
Destroyers signal caller Nagy, completed a career-high 33 passes on 47 attempts for 339 yards and seven touchdowns. C.J. Johnson had another strong outing as he led all receivers with 10 receptions for 112 yards and one touchdown.
The Destroyers (3-10) opened the scoring as Nagy found Derek Lee for a six-yard touchdown with 10:11 remaining in the first quarter. After hauling in nine receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns, Lee now holds the single-season franchise record for touchdown receptions in a season with 28.
Rookie wide receiver Calvin Russell had a career-game as he contributed four touchdowns on the night. With 4:18 remaining in the first quarter he rushed in from five yards for the first touchdown run of his AFL career. In the second quarter he caught scoring strikes from 11 yards and four yards, the second giving the Columbus a 27-24 lead with :47 remaining before the half.
With the score tied 27-27 and five seconds remaining in the half, VooDoo defensive back Floyd intercepted Nagy and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown to give New Orleans a seven-point lead at halftime. The interception return for touchdown was the first surrendered by the Destroyers this season.
The VooDoo took a 21-point lead, 55-34, after Sale' Key recovered a mishandled kickoff attempt and returned it three yards for a touchdown with 8:14 remaining in the third quarter.
The teams traded three touchdowns apiece in the final quarter. Fullback Harold Wells and Russell caught six-yard passes for touchdowns and Johnson capped the scoring as he hauled in a 23-yard pass as he crashed into the end zone wall.
The Destroyers return to action next Saturday, June 7, as they host the Georgia Force presented by NTE Supplements on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. Fans are invited to start their pre-game party early at the Roosters Wings Bash before the game. The festivities kick off at 4 p.m. on the southwest plaza of Nationwide Arena (corner of Nationwide Blvd. and McConnell Blvd.) with plenty of Roosters Wings, Donatos pizza, beer from Budweiser and live music from Jakob Freely and the Mixtape Bandits. Kickoff against the Force is set for 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m.
Single game tickets starting at just $15 are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, ticketmaster Ticket Centers, ticketmaster.com, ColumbusDestroyers.com and FSN Ohio Blue Line team stores located at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Chiller Easton, Chiller Dublin and Chiller North.
Only on game nights, the Huntington $10 Ticket Blitz offers available lower bowl seats, regularly priced at $28, for just $10 at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office two hours prior to game time. Also two hours before kickoff at the arena ticket office, college and high school students with a valid full-time student ID can purchase Raising Cane's Student Tickets for just $7. Students receive a voucher for a FREE Raising Cane's box combo with each ticket purchased.
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